Mop having interior means for a handle or the like



Aprll 7, 1959 A. LE FEBVRE MOP HAVING INTERIOR MEANS FOR A HANDLE OR THE LIKE Filed sept. 4, 195e INVENToR.

United States Patent() MOP HAVING INTERIOR lVIEANS FOR A HANDLE OR THE LIKE Alfred L. Le Febvre, Southwick, Mass., assignor to Stanley Home Products, Inc., Westfield, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Application September 4, 1956, Serial No. 607,958

1 Claim. (Cl. 15-244) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a unitary sponge-like implement adapted for use as a mop or the like.

The principal object of the invention is directed to the provision of an implement having a section or body of cellulose sponge-like material and a backing section or body integral therewith, with a central metal member encased therebetween and so arranged as to connect the implement to a handle means.

The body will be formed from cellulose material of a type which is particularly adapted to absorb and retain water or other liquid so as to be suitable for use as a mop or the like.

It is diicult, if not impossible, to permanently secure a cellulose body to a metal member or the like for attachment of the body to a handle means.

Such cellulose bodies heretofore have been attached to metal members by adhesives or cements, but, in use, the body soon becomes detached from the metal.

According to the novel features of this invention, a backing section is formed directly on a cellulose body and over a metal member disposed on said body in such a way that the metal member is completely enclosed by the body and backing. The backing formed on the body in this way provides an integral structure consisting of the cellulose body and a backing therewith completely enclosing the metal member which is adapted for attachment of the implement to a handle or the like.

The backing material is formed on the cellulose body by being discharged directly thereonto so as to cverlie the metal member and will consist of gas-expanded polyurethane foam, a thermoset cellular plastic obtained through the reaction of diisocyanates and polyesters in the presence of suitable activators containing reinforcing materials.

The forming of the backing component on the cellulose component may be accomplished in a mold or in any suitable manner.

The inner central member may be formed with a stud or studs extending through the backing for attachment to a handle means or provided with openings for screws or the like to facilitate attachment to a handle means. The inner member may be such as to reinforce the implement. At least it will be relatively more rigid than either the body or the backing member and for purposes of disclosure, may be referred to as an attaching member.

It will be understood that various changes may be made in the implement and the form thereof without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention to be fully disclosed in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

Fig. 1 is a small scale perspective view of an implement embodying the novel features of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the implement shown in Fig. l; and

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of the implement shown in Fig. 1.

2,880,443 Patented yApr. 7, 1959 ICC Referring now to the drawing more in detail, the inventon will bek fully described.

The implement of the invention is generally indicated by 2 and includes a body 4 of cellulose sponge-like material having a backing 6 permanently united therewith with an inner attaching member 8 encased therein.

The body 4 will be formed from cellulose sponge-like material having water absorbing and retaining characteristics and is well known in the art and may be of any desired form or dimensions.

The attaching member 8 will be relatively more rigid than the body 4 and may be a metal plate having its marginal edges spaced inwardly of the edges of the body. The member 8 may be other than metal.

Said member 8 may be of various shapes or forms, may have serrated edges, and may be provided with openings 9 therethrough, as shown.

The backing 6 is formed on the body 4 by discharging the polyurethane foam cellular plastic onto the body and over the member 8. For forming the backing, the body if desired, may be placed in a mold and the backing material discharged onto said body.

The backing forming material, as it is discharged onto the body extends through any openings or cutouts of the member 8 there may be provided therein. The material forming the backing not only is united with the bod-y around the member 8 but also is united through the open` ings or cutouts. In this way, the body and backing members are united within the area or connes of the member 8. This is important so that the backing is united not only around the member 8 but also through it. The backing will not be separated from the body throughout any appreciable area of the implement, but instead will be united around and through the member 8.

The member 8 may be provided with studs 10, which extend through the backing. Said studs may be attached to a handle or handle device.

Or the member 8 may be provided with tapped holes or the like for screws or bolts that the implement may be associated with a handle means, as may be desired.

Thus the backing permanently uniting with the spongelike body and having the member 8 encased in the implement makes it possible to attach the implement to handle means. As has been stated, it is diicult if not impossible to secure a cellulose sponge material .directly to a handle means or a holder by adhesives or cement as there is a separation of the sponge and handle means brought about by use, all of which is objectionable.

The foam thermos-et cellular plastic material, which is formed on the body of sponge-like cellulose material, is resistant to gasoline and oils, soaps, greases and detergents encountered usually in washing and cleaning operations, is light in weight and resilient and has an adinity for the material of the body so that a unitary composite implement is provided having encased therein an attaching member.

From the foregoing, it will be observed that an implement is provided which includes means for securing the implement to handle means. What it is desired to claim and secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

A unitary mop device of the type having interior means for attachment to a handle or the like comprising, a mop body of cellulose sponge material having opposite and adjacent longitudinal side and transverse end edges and an inner face, a relatively rigid thin metal plate on the inner face of said body having opposite and adjacent longitudinal side and transverse end edges spaced inwardly from corresponding edges of said body providing side and end portions of the inner face of the body, at the sides and ends of said plate, said plate provided with openings therethrough and the side and end edges thereof being serrated, a backing member on said plate and inner side of said body formed from gas expanded polyurethane foam material secured to the marginal portions of the inner face of the body and to said face through the Serrations and openings of said plate.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,978,950 Lillard Oct. 30, 1934 4 Brochhagen et al. July 3, 1956 Bradshaw June 25, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS Canada July 11, 1950 Great Britain Aug. 20, 1952 Great Britain Oct. 6, 1954 

